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More needs to be done to diffuse power of terror videos: NDP critic

A bouquet of flowers attached to the fence at the French embassy in Ottawa Wednesday was one gesture of support Canadians showed to France following a terrorist attack in Paris. (Corey Larocque/QMI Agency)

A nine-minute, compilation-style video released Saturday called for attacks against Canada. The video seemed to disappear from the Internet shortly after being posted and its authenticity hasn't been verified.

A spokesman for Canada's spy agency, CSIS, confirmed: "We are aware of this most recent video and continue to work with domestic and international partners in investigating threats to the national security of Canada."

Security expert and former CSIS intelligence officer Michel Juneau-Katsuya told QMI Agency the concern goes beyond the videos' content to their likelihood of inspiring individuals to take violent action.

"Because of the form of terrorism we are confronted with, we must take (these videos) seriously because it's been demonstrated they work," he said. "Unfortunately, some lunatic might respond to it and go into action."

Harris believes Islamic communities should play a greater role in diffusing would-be homegrown terrorists. The Ottawa Muslim Association, the Ottawa Islamic Centre and the Masjid Toronto all declined to comment on news of the video or what is being done within their own communities to combat the spread of radical Islam

Harris said it's important to work with the Islamic communities so it's less likely young people will find these videos appealing.